The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation has awarded Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) $130,000 to strengthen the non-profit organization's commitment to providing coaching services that help preschools throughout Los Angeles County pursue the highest quality standards.

The money will be used to defray costs associated with LAUP's quality coaching program, which delivers technical assistance to preschool teachers that leads to high-quality early childhood education, and inspires preschool providers to be the best they can be for the benefit of their young students. LAUP funds more than 325 preschools in Los Angeles County.

"The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation is pleased to support LAUP in its pursuit of excellence, because we know research backs the premise that high-quality preschool works," said Wendy Garen, president and chief executive officer of the foundation. "We understand the critical importance of a high-quality preschool education, and are happy to play a part in ensuring that quality preschools are available to the children who need them."

LAUP quality support coaches are highly trained early childhood professionals, who work directly in the classroom with preschool teachers to offer support and guidance on best practices. Coaches work with preschool providers within LAUP's network of more than 325 preschools to positively influence, not enforce, change. Quality coaches work with providers to determine what's best for the classroom, as well as the particular population and individual children they serve.

"My coach is a supportive coach who comes and mentors me, and who gives me new information and updates," said Grace Castro, owner of Castro Family Child Care in Whittier. "She helps me in setting up goals, which is very important due to the fact that it encourages me to better my program for the future, and there's always room for improvement. We work well together on setting goals."

Celia C. Ayala, Ph.D., LAUP's chief executive officer, thanked The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation for their support. "The Foundation has been one of LAUP's most committed funders," she said. "We're honored to have their support of our quality support coaching, one of the most unique, vibrant and impactful elements of our organization. We appreciate their steadfast commitment to improving the quality of early childhood education."